Merritt Paulson and his group are catching a good break right now as the city’s task force is speeding up the effort for Portland’s expansion hopes. The group is trying to figure out where to house the city’s minor league baseball team is they get a MLS club.

Leonard asked the Major League Soccer/Minor League Baseball Task Force to make a recommendation about bringing the soccer team to Portland by the end of February. The 18-member task force agreed, delaying its review of where to move the minor league baseball team if the soccer team moves into PGE Park.

“The City Council needs to receive the recommendation by the end of February in order to submit its request to Major League Soccer in March,” said Leonard.

Leonard made the request in person at the task force’s Jan. 27 meeting. He appeared after hearing that the task force was not moving fast enough on the recommendation, in part because it was planning on visiting alternative sites for the Beavers first.

“I told them, make the decision about the soccer team first,” Leonard told the Portland Tribune. “If they decide against recommending that Portland acquire a soccer team, then relocating the Beavers is moot.”

Its good seeing a town like Portland push hard for MLS expansion. You can tell a lot of people really want a club there in the city. Which is good for the league and something I don’t think they can ignore.

While rumors are out there that we will hear something shortly about one MLS expansion announcement I would imagine the other one will come towards the beginning of March if not by mid-March like previously talked about by the league.

TheUltra

I really hope portland gets a team, them and St.l would be great additions

Jason Davis

I'm pulling for Portalnd because of their supporters and history, but I wonder about their stadium plans. Portland doesn't seem the type of town to give handouts to the likes of Merritt Paulson, which is how many of the residents seem to view the situation. I'm all for non-NFL, non-MLB towns getting teams; the less competition for coverage and civic pride, the better.

soundersfan

portscum, I vote for the Whitecaps, Southsiders, Vancouver. The league needs another Canadian team, and Portland doesn't have a stadium finalized.

joel

I hope St Louis and Miami get the expansions but will probably be Miami and Vancouver.

I’m pulling for Portalnd because of their supporters and history, but I wonder about their stadium plans. Portland doesn’t seem the type of town to give handouts to the likes of Merritt Paulson, which is how many of the residents seem to view the situation. I’m all for non-NFL, non-MLB towns getting teams; the less competition for coverage and civic pride, the better.

soundersfan

portscum, I vote for the Whitecaps, Southsiders, Vancouver. The league needs another Canadian team, and Portland doesn’t have a stadium finalized.

I hope St Louis and Miami get the expansions but will probably be Miami and Vancouver.

Vnice

No Stadium?? Ok, I know PGE is not uber modern, but the stadium itself is highly unique, and very cool. I'd say all it needs is another stand on the one side, as it already seats 18,000. I think some of that existing easting could be removed to make room for some game-day attractions, or maybe picnic-like areas. But, I truly feel that PGE only needs a stand one the one side to be ready to roll. Crew stadium is crude, Toronto's staium is nothing more than a glorified high school football stadium. PGE is beautiful. <br />
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Portland also has a massive supporter base. Plus…and this is the most important…I am moving there in a couple of years. Hehe.

Vnice

No Stadium?? Ok, I know PGE is not uber modern, but the stadium itself is highly unique, and very cool. I’d say all it needs is another stand on the one side, as it already seats 18,000. I think some of that existing easting could be removed to make room for some game-day attractions, or maybe picnic-like areas. But, I truly feel that PGE only needs a stand one the one side to be ready to roll. Crew stadium is crude, Toronto’s staium is nothing more than a glorified high school football stadium. PGE is beautiful.

Portland also has a massive supporter base. Plus…and this is the most important…I am moving there in a couple of years. Hehe.